Playlist server

ABSTRACT

A method for playing music includes displaying a list of playlists names, selecting one of the displayed playlists names, sending at least one attribute of a playlist corresponding to the selected playlist name to a playlist server, receiving a playlist from the playlist server wherein the received playlist corresponds to the attribute(s), selecting at least one song from the received playlist, sending information representative of the selected song to a content server, receiving the selected song from the content server, and playing the selected song(s). Requesting a playlist on the first device based on attributes, sending the same attributes to a second device having the second device request the playlist and start playing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/539,923, filed on Jul. 2, 2012, entitled “METHOD, SYSTEM,AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM FOR EMPLOYING A FIRST DEVICE TO DIRECT ANETWORKED AUDIO DEVICE TO RENDER A PLAYLIST,” which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/207,113, filed on Aug. 10, 2011,entitled “METHOD, SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM FOR EMPLOYING AFIRST DEVICE TO DIRECT A NETWORKED AUDIO DEVICE TO RENDER A PLAYLIST,”now U.S. Pat. No. 8,214,873, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/840,109, filed May 5, 2004, entitled “METHOD ANDSYSTEM FOR EMPLOYING A FIRST DEVICE TO DIRECT A NETWORKED AUDIO DEVICETO OBTAIN A MEDIA ITEM,” now U.S. Pat. No. 8,028,323, each of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a method and system forplaying music. The present invention relates more particularly to adigital entertainment network wherein playlists are obtained bycommunicating attributes of the playlists to a playlist server andwherein songs are obtained by communicating information representativeof the songs to a content server.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, music has been provided to listeners by either abroadcast method or a purchase method. According to the broadcastmethod, music is broadcast to listeners by such means as radio and cablesystems. The owners of the music are typically compensated by thebroadcaster via either the American Society of Composers, Authors andPublishers (ASCAP) or Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI). These twoagencies monitor the playing of music by broadcasters, collect royaltiesfrom the broadcasters, and distribute the royalties to the copyrightowners of the music.

However, according to the broadcast method the listener has little or nocontrol over which selections are played. Generally, a listener musttune in to a radio station or select a cable channel that plays the typeof music that the listener enjoys with the expectation that songs thatthe listener enjoys will occasionally be played. Too frequently, thesesongs are not played as often as the listener would prefer.

According to the purchase method, a listener purchases prerecorded musicstored on media such as compact discs (CDs). The listener may then playthe songs as many times as desired. Copyright owners are paid royaltiesout of the purchase price of the music.

However, the purchase method requires that a substantial price be paidfor the music, at least in part because of the virtually unlimited useassociated therewith. Listeners appear to be becoming less willing topay the purchase price for such prerecorded music, particularly asalternative methods for obtaining music become more popular.

The purchase method suffers from the additional disadvantage ofrequiring that media containing the desired songs be utilized. Suchmedia is somewhat bulky, particularly when a large number of selectionsare desired. In some instances, it may not be practical to carry all ofthe songs desired because of the volume and/or weight of the mediarequired. Such media is also undesirably subject to degradation due touse and mishandling. For example, scratches on a CD may inhibit its use.

A newer method of providing music to listeners is becoming increasinglypopular. It is this method of providing music that is apparently makinglisteners less willing to pay the purchase price for music that isprerecorded on media. According to this newer method of providing music,the music is downloaded from the Internet or otherwise obtained (such asby trading with friends), as a data file. One popular example of such adata file is an MP3 file. MP3 is short for Moving Picture Experts Group1, audio layer 3.

Although music embodied in data files can be obtained legitimately, suchas via such services like iTunes (a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.),the opportunity to download or trade music data files for free hasheretofore hampered this legitimate method of obtaining music.

As such, although the prior art has recognized, to a limited extent, theproblem of distributing music, the proposed solutions have, to date,been ineffective in providing a satisfactory remedy. Therefore, it isdesirable to provide a method for distributing music that is convenient,does not involve the use of media, and which provides for the payment ofroyalties.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake ofgrammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expresslyunderstood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by theconstruction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accordedthe full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition providedby the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in thecase where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are tobe accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112.

The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the abovementioned deficiencies associated with the prior art. More particularly,according to one aspect the present invention comprises a method forplaying music, wherein the method comprises displaying a list ofplaylists names, selecting one of the displayed playlist names, sendingat least one attribute of a playlist corresponding to the selectedplaylist name to a playlist server, receiving a playlist from theplaylist server wherein the received playlist corresponds to theattribute(s), selecting at least one song from the received playlist,sending information representative of the selected song(s) to a contentserver, receiving the selected song(s) from the content server andplaying the selected song(s).

According to one method of operation, the playlist names are displayedon a first device, a playlist name is selected on the first device, theattribute(s) are sent from the first device, the playlist is received bythe first device, a song is selected from the first device, and the songis played on the first device.

According to another method of operation, the playlist names aredisplayed on a first device, a playlist name is selected on the firstdevice, the attribute(s) are sent from the first device, the playlist isreceived by the first device, a song is selected from the first device,and the song is played on a second device.

The method of the present invention optionally comprises selecting thesecond device. In this instance, the playlist names are displayed on afirst device, the playlist name is selected on the first device, theattribute(s) are sent from the first device, the playlist is received bythe first device, the song is selected from the first device, and thesong is played on the selected second device. Preferably, the seconddevice is selected from the first device.

Preferably, the first device comprises a handheld portable device. Forexample, the first device may comprises a palmtop computer, an MP3player, or a remote control for a second device.

Thus, the first device may comprise a remote control for a second devicewherein the second device comprises a music rendering device. In thisinstance, songs are typically played upon the second device, althoughsongs may also be played upon the first device.

Preferably, selecting one of the displayed playlist names and selectinga song from the playlist are performed using a touchscreen. If a seconddevice is selected from the first device, the second device is alsopreferably selected using the touchscreen.

Preferably, communicating attributes of a playlist to a playlist servercomprises communicating a name of a playlist to a playlist server.Communicating attributes of a playlist to a playlist server may comprisecommunicating to the playlist server at least one attribute such as atype of music listened to, at least one artist, at least one selection,at least one instrument, at least one record company, a region, acountry, a state, a city, a school, and/or an ethnicity. The playlistserver may then either locate or make a playlist that conforms to theattribute(s) of the requested playlist.

Sending at least one attribute of a playlist to a playlist server andreceiving a playlist from the playlist server preferably comprisescommunicating the attribute(s) and the playlist via a network,preferably a wide area network such as the Internet.

Selecting at least one song from the playlist optionally comprisesselecting a plurality of songs from the playlist and playing theselected song(s) then comprises playing the plurality of songs. Thesongs may be played in the order selected, in random order, or in anyother desired order.

According to one aspect of the present invention, playlistrecommendations based upon listening habits of a listener areautomatically provided to the listener. Alternatively, the playlistrecommendations may be based upon listening habits of another person.The playlist recommendations may comprise a list of currently popularsongs within a single genre that is of interest to the listener.

Preferably, at least one parameter for a song that is being played on asecond device can be adjusted from the first device. The parameters mayinclude volume, tone, and/or balance.

According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a method forplaying music, wherein the method comprises obtaining a playlist for afirst device via the Internet, selecting a song from the playlist, andusing the first device to cause a second device to play the selectedsong. The second device preferably obtains the song via the Internet.

According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a method forplaying music, wherein the method comprises displaying a list ofplaylist names on a first device, selecting one of the displayedplaylist names from the first device, sending at least one attribute ofa playlist corresponding to the selected playlist name from the firstdevice to a playlist server, receiving a playlist at the first devicefrom the playlist server wherein the received playlist corresponds tothe attribute(s), selecting at least one song from the playlist on thefirst device, sending information representative of the selected songfrom the first device to a content server, receiving the selected songat the first device from the content server, and playing the selectedsong(s) on the first device.

According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a method forplaying music, wherein the method comprises displaying a list ofplaylist names on a first device, selecting one of the displayedplaylist names from the first device, sending at least one attribute ofa playlist corresponding to the selected playlist name from the firstdevice to a playlist server, receiving at the first device a playlistfrom the playlist server wherein the received playlist corresponds tothe attribute(s), selecting a second device, selecting at least one songfrom the playlist on the first device, sending informationrepresentative of the selected song from the first device to the seconddevice, sending information representative of the selected song from thesecond device to a content server, receiving the selected song at thesecond device from the content server, and playing the selected song(s)on the second device.

According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a device forplaying music, wherein the device comprises a display for displaying alist of playlist names and song names. The display is also forfacilitating selection of playlists and songs. The device furthercomprises a network transceiver.

As used herein, the term network transceiver includes any circuit ordevice that facilitates communication via a network. Examples of networktransceivers include Ethernet network interface cards (NICs) andcircuits, as well as Bluetooth and WiFi cards and circuits.

The device is configured to facilitate displaying a list of playlistnames on the display, selecting one of the displayed playlist names,sending at least one attribute of a playlist corresponding to theselected playlist name to a playlist server via the network transceiver,and receiving a playlist from the playlist server via the networktransceiver. The received playlist corresponds to the attribute(s) sentto the playlist server. The device is further configured to facilitateselecting at least one song from the playlist, sending informationrepresentative of the selected song to a content server, receiving theselected song from the content server, and playing the selected song(s).

According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a device forplaying music, wherein the device comprises a network transceiver. Thedevice is configured to facilitate receiving information representativeof a song from another device, sending of the information representativeof the song to a content server via the network transceiver, receivingof the song from the content server, and playing of the song.

According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a playlistserver comprising a memory within which a plurality of playlists arestored and a network transceiver. The playlist server is configured tofacilitate receiving at least one attribute of a playlist via thenetwork transceiver, identifying a playlist based upon the attribute(s),and sending of the playlist to a device via the transceiver.

Preferably, the playlist server is further configured to facilitateserving of content. Thus, the playlist server and the content server areeffectively the same server. However, as those skilled in the art willappreciate, the playlist server and the content server may be twoentirely different servers and may be located in diverse locations withrespect to one another.

According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a method forproviding music, wherein the method comprises receiving at least oneattribute of a selected playlist at a playlist server and transmitting aplaylist that corresponds to the attributes from the playlist server toa first device.

According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a system forplaying music, wherein the system comprises a first device configured todisplay names of playlists and names of songs and to facilitateselection of the playlists and songs, a playlist server configured toreceive at least one attribute of a playlist from the first device andto send a playlist corresponding to the received attribute(s) to thefirst device, and a content server configured to receive informationrepresentative of at least one song from the first device and to sendcorresponding songs to the first device. The present invention furthercomprises at least one second device configured to send attributes of aplaylist to the playlist server, to send information representative ofsongs to the content server, to receive a playlist from the playlistserver, and to receive songs from the content server.

According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a method forplaying music, wherein the method comprises providing a first devicethat repeatedly wirelessly broadcasts a unique identification thereofand a password, and moving the first device into an area such that itcan communicate wirelessly with at least one second device thatrepeatedly wirelessly broadcasts a unique identification thereof and apassword. The first device displays names of the second device(s) forwhich the password is an authorized password for the first device, suchthat the first device can be used to select songs to be played on thesecond device(s). Each of the second devices displays the name of thefirst device when the password of the first device is an authorizedpassword for the that second device, such that the second device can beused to select songs to be played on the first device.

According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a system forplaying music, wherein the system comprises a playlist server incommunication with the Internet wherein the playlist server has aplurality of playlists stored thereon, a content server in communicationwith the Internet wherein the content server has a plurality of songsstored thereon, a rendering device for playing songs, a set-top box incommunication with the rendering device for facilitating communicationof the songs from the content server to the rendering device via theInternet, and a remote control for controlling the set-top box.

The remote control is configured to obtain a playlist from the playlistserver, facilitate, selection of a song from the playlist, and controlthe set-top box so as to cause the set-top box to download the song andcause the song to play on the rendering device.

The remote control is preferably dockable to the set-top box. The remotecontrol may be either in wired or wireless communication with theset-top box when docked thereto. The remote control is preferably inwireless communication with the set-top box when the remote control isnot docked thereto. The remote control can preferably be used to controlthe set-top box whether the remote control is docked thereto or not.

The remote control preferably comprises a display and a keypad forfacilitating control of the set-top box and consequently forfacilitating control of the rendering device. The set-top box optionallycomprises a display and a keypad for facilitating control thereof andconsequently for facilitating control of the rendering device.

According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a method forproviding content, wherein the method comprises selecting content from aremote control and providing the selected content to a media player viaa network.

These, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will bemore apparent from the following description and drawings. It isunderstood that changes in the specific structure shown and describedmay be made within the scope of the claims, without departing from thespirit of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understoodby turning to the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments which are presented as illustrated examples of the inventiondefined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the invention asdefined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodimentsdescribed below.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of the digitalentertainment system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing further detail of an exemplary firstdevice or remote control of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing one way of operating a digitalentertainment system of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing another way of operating a digitalentertainment system of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing operation of a discovery process whereindevices of the present invention recognize one another;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of the digitalentertainment network of the present invention, wherein a set-top boxhas a removable remote control disposed within a cradle thereof;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the digital entertainment network ofFIG. 6, wherein the set-top box has the removable remote controldisposed out of the cradle thereof; and

FIG. 8, is a block diagram showing the discovery process for both alocal device and a remote device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinaryskill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustratedembodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and thatit should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by thefollowing claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that theelements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, itmust be expressly understood that the invention includes othercombinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosedherein even when not initially claimed in such combinations.

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and itsvarious embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of theircommonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in thisspecification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of thecommonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in thecontext of this specification as including more than one meaning, thenits use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possiblemeanings supported by the specification and by the word itself:

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claimstherefore include not only the combination of elements which areliterally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts forperforming substantially the same function in substantially the same wayto obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is thereforecontemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements maybe made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a singleelement may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Althoughelements may be described above as acting in certain combinations andeven initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood thatone or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases beexcised from the combination and that the claimed combination may bedirected to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by aperson with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, areexpressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of theclaims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one withordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of thedefined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specificallyillustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, whatcan be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates theessential idea of the invention.

Thus, the detailed description set forth below in connection with theappended drawings is intended as a description of the presentlypreferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to representthe only forms in which the present invention may be constructed orutilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence ofsteps for constructing and operating the invention in connection withthe illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that thesame or equivalent functions may be accomplished by differentembodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spiritof the invention.

The digital entertainment network of the present invention is preferablya fully integrated plug and play technology platform that deliverssecure anytime, anywhere, on-demand multimedia content for digital homesystems.

The digital entertainment network provides efficient and ubiquitouswireless and web-enabled control over digital home systems by enablingusers to access and manage music content using a variety of controldevices and by delivering such content to a wide variety of differentrendering devices.

On-demand delivery of content, such as streaming music, is providedutilizing such user-friendly features such as customized playlists,collaboration, music management tools, and search capability.

The present invention preferably provides a plug and play control pointthat has the software intelligence that forms the basis for a trulyintegrated entertainment network system. This control point architecturedelivers the ability to unify content, such as music or other types ofmultimedia content, with control applications that enable system usersto access content from a variety of different remote control devices anddeliver such content to a variety of rendering devices.

For example, the control point enables a digital entertainment networkuser to utilize a PDA or other device to browse for music on theInternet, then select and play a song on an MP3 player or the like, oreven on stand-alone audio speakers. In another embodiment, the controlpoint allows a user to choose a song via a set-top device, then playthat music on a television, stereo system, or the like.

Preferably, the present invention comprises a web services basedcomponent that provides users with on-demand music streamed to a varietyof devices, such as MP3 players, set-top boxes and home stereo systems.Thus, according to one aspect, the present invention is a web-basedcontent and music management system that offers users a number ofdesirable features via a web browser.

These features preferably include web-based music catalog browsing viajukebox interface, search capability (to find artists and specificselections), the use of standard playlists, the use of custom playlists(created by each user), the ability to select different devices on whichto play songs, the ability to view a user's activity over a given timeperiod or in real-time with the activity streamer, collaboration, theability to find buddies with the same music preferences you have in yourplaylists, the ability to share playlists with buddies, the ability toview buddies' activity based on various time periods, instant messagingfor chatting among users, and the use of a set top box to facilitate theuse of playlists and the streaming of content.

According to one aspect, the digital entertainment network of thepresent invention comprises a set-top box that provides users withon-demand music streamed to a variety of devices. The set-top box is aweb-based content and music management system that offers users a listof features including the need for little or no setup (plug intoEthernet and video out, audio out), content catalog browsing, searchcapability (to find artists and specific selections), the use ofstandard playlists, the use of custom playlists (created by each user),the ability to select different devices on which to play songs, theability to view your activity over a given time period or in real-timewith the activity streamer, collaboration, the ability to find buddieswith the same music preferences you have in your playlists, the abilityto share playlists with buddies, the ability to view buddies' activitybased on various time periods, and instant messaging for chatting amongusers.

The digital entertainment network of the present invention comprisescontrol devices that allow users to communicate with the control pointand give commands to render music/multimedia content on variousdifferent rendering devices. Examples of control devices include thepersonal digital assistant (PDAs) and set-top boxes.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a PDA based controlapplication allows users to roam the house and play music content thatis accessed via the PDA and is available via an Internet based service.According to one aspect, the content is played via set-top boxes, i.e.,rendering devices, which may be located throughout the home.

The digital entertainment network also includes rendering devices thatreceive instructions from the control point and thereby rendermusic/multimedia content. Rendering device examples include the set-topdevices, home stereo systems and televisions. A variety of differenttypes of rendering devices are possible. Audio content, such as music,may be rendered on audio rendering devices such as speakers, a stereo,and a television. Similarly, audio/video content, such as movies andtelevision shows, may be rendered on televisions, stand alone monitors,and computer monitors. Indeed, either audio or audio/video content maybe rendered on a variety of other types of devices, such as cellulartelephones, PDAs, and laptop computers.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a set-top device is akey rendering device that plays music content on other renderingdevices, such as televisions and stereo systems, throughout the home.

The digital entertainment network of the present invention optionallycomprises a billing application for handling the financial transactionactivities associated with streaming content payment and usage. Thebilling application preferably performs functions such as transactionand usage logging for billing processing, automated billing ofcustomers, automated notification of the inability to charge a creditcard on file (exception handling), and automated calculation and wiretransfer of funds to content providers.

The present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, which depictpresently preferred embodiments thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present inventioncomprises a playlist server/content server 10 that is in communicationwith a network, preferably a wide area network such as the Internet 11.Also in communication with the network are a first device 13 and asecond device 14, which are both typically located within a commonstructure, such as a home or office 12. The first device 13 generallyassumes the function of the control point, although the second device 14may have this functionality, as well.

The playlist server/content server 10 may be a single server.Alternatively, the playlist server and the content server may be twoseparate servers. Indeed, the playlist server may comprise a pluralityof separate servers and/or the content server may similarly comprise aplurality of different servers.

The playlist server/content server is in bi-directional communicationwith the Internet 11, as indicated by arrow 19. The first device 13 isin bi-directional communication with the Internet 11, as indicated byarrow 16. The second device 14 is in bi-directional communication withthe Internet 11, as indicated by arrow 17.

The first device is in communication with the second device, asindicated by arrow 18. The first device may be in either unidirectionalor bi-directional communication with the second device 14.

The first device 13 may comprise any of a plurality of different typesof devices. For example, the first device 13 may comprise a handheldportable device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a palmtopcomputer, an MP3 player, a telephone, or a remote control for a musicrendering device. The first device may alternatively comprise anon-portable device, such as a desktop computer, a television, or astereo.

The second device 14 may comprise the same type of device as the firstdevice 14 or may alternatively comprise a different type of device withrespect thereto. Thus, the first and second devices may compriseportable devices, non-portable devices, or any combination thereof.

The second device may also comprise one or more smart speakers. Asdefined herein, standalone smart speakers are speakers that are notconnected to a device such as a stereo, television, or computer. Smartspeakers are typically in communication with a network and can thusreceive content therefrom. Typically, smart speakers comprise dedicatedsignal conditioning circuitry such as audio amplifiers.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first device13 comprises a remote control for the second device 14. Thus, the seconddevice may comprise a music rendering device such as a stereo, atelevision, or a home computer and the first device may comprise ahandheld remote control therefor.

Any desired number of first and second devices may be provided accordingto the present invention. For example, the first device may comprise aremote control that controls a plurality of second devices, such as atelevision, a DVD player, and a stereo system.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the first device 13 may comprise a handheldportable device that comprises a display 22, a keypad 23, and a networktransceiver 24. The display 22 facilitates viewing and selection ofplaylist names, as well as viewing and selection of songs within aplaylist, as discussed in detail below. The keypad 23 facilitatesselection of playlist names and selection of songs, as also discussed indetail below.

The display 22 may optionally comprise a touchscreen display and thekeypad may optionally be omitted. In this instance, all selection may beperformed via the touchscreen display.

The network transceiver 24 preferably comprises a wireless networktransceiver, such network transceiver conforming to the Bluetooth (atrademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.) standard and/or conforming to the WiFi(a trademark of the WiFi Alliance) standard.

The device shown in FIG. 2 may also be the second device 14 according toone aspect of the present invention. However, for explanatory purposesit may sometimes be beneficial to think of the first device as a smallhandheld portable device such as a PDA or dedicated remote control thatcan function to control the second device and it may similarly sometimesbe beneficial to think of the second device as a larger music renderingdevice such as a stereo, television, or personal computer. Of course,such embodiments of the present invention are by way of example only,and not by way of limitation.

Having described the general structures of the present invention, thegeneral operation thereof will next be described with reference to FIGS.3 and 4. In operation, the digital entertainment network of the presentinvention provides convenient access to a very large database of musicwithout requiring that the music be stored and kept by the listener onmedia such as CDs. This convenient access is provided by maintaining thedatabase of music at a remote location, i.e., in an Internet basedcontent server 10.

That is, the present invention generally does not attempt to store songswithin the music rendering devices themselves, but rather generallydownloads songs via a network, as needed. Such operation simplifies theconstruction and operation of the music rendering devices by eliminatingthe need for large storage capacities. The elimination of the need forlarge storage capacities results in a cost savings for manufacturing andpurchasing the music rendering devices.

Downloading the music on an as-needed basis provides access to a verylarge database of songs that contains many more selections than can bestored on contemporary music rendering devices. Downloading the music onan as-needed basis also facilitates the payment of royalties to themusic owners in a manner that is fair to both listeners and musicowners.

One exception to downloading of music on an as-needed basis according tothe present invention is optionally the use of caching. Songs that areplayed repeatedly may be cached, so as to mitigate the need for anetwork connection and thus mitigate the need for the bandwidthassociated therewith. The playing of cached songs can be reported viathe network and royalties paid as though the song had been downloadedstrictly on an as-needed basis.

Preferably, the present invention comprises a first device that mayoperate in two different ways. According to a first way of operation, asshown in FIG. 3 and discussed in detail below, a listener selects a songto be played from a playlist on the first device and the song is thenplayed on the first device. According to a second way of operation, asshown in FIG. 4 and discussed in detail below, a listener selects a songto be played from a playlist on the first device and the song is thenplayed on another device, e.g., a second device.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the first way of operation of the first deviceis illustrated. A list of playlists is displayed on the first device asshown in block 31. The list of playlist is a list of playlist names,numbers, or other indicia indicative of individual playlists. Forexample, the list of playlists may include graphic symbols or icons inaddition to or in place of other indicia. As used herein, the termplaylist name includes any indicia that are uniquely representative of aplaylist.

Each item on the list of playlists is representative of a particularplaylist. Each playlist may come from any one of a variety of sources.For example, a playlist may be compiled by a user, a playlist may beobtained from someone else, or a playlist may be formed by a computerusing an algorithm that attempts to identify songs that will suit thetastes of the listener.

The playlists are stored on a playlist server and are downloaded to thefirst device and the second device as requested by the listener. Asmentioned above, the playlist server may be the same server as thecontent server.

Optionally, playlists as well as songs may be cached on the first deviceand/or the second device.

The list of playlists may be displayed upon the display 22 of the firstdevice or may be displayed in any other desired manner. For example, thelist of playlists may be displayed on the monitor of another device.

One of the displayed playlists is selected by the listener as shown inblock 32. The selected playlist is a playlist that is expected tocontain one or more songs that the listener would like to listen to. Forexample, the displayed list of playlists may contain a playlist namedrock favorites, a playlist named country favorites, and a playlist namedclassical favorites. If the listener wants to listen to classical musicthat is on the playlist named classical favorites, the playlist namedclassical favorites is selected.

The desired playlist may be selected by using a touchscreen display ofthe first device 13, may be selected using the keypad 23, or may beselected by any other desired means.

At least one attribute of the selected playlist is sent from the firstdevice to a playlist server as shown in block 33. The attribute(s) maycomprise, for example, the name of a playlist, the number of a playlist,and/or any other unique identifier of a playlist.

Alternatively, the attribute(s) may comprise one or more parameters thatare indicative of the type of music that the listener would like tohear. For example, the attribute(s) may comprise a code that indicatesthat a list of the top ten country hits for the week that is to bereturned. The user may preferably compile sets of such parameters so asto facilitate the retrieval of custom, up to date playlists from theplaylist server. Such parameters may be compiled directly on the firstdevice or on any other device, such as a personal computer.

A playlist that corresponds to the attribute(s) is sent from theplaylist server and is received by the first device as shown in block34. This playlist is a list of songs containing at least one song thatthe listener would like to hear.

The listener selects at least one song from the received playlist, asshown in block 35. Either a single song may be selected, or a pluralityof songs may be selected. The song(s) may be selected by using atouchscreen display of the first device 13, may be selected using thekeypad, or may be selected by any other desired means.

Information representative of the selected song(s) is sent to a contentserver 10. The information may comprise the name(s) of the songs, thenumber(s) of the songs, or any other unique identifier thereof.

The selected song(s) are communicated from the content server 10 to thefirst device 13 via the Internet 11 as shown in block 37. The format ofthe selected songs may be MP3, WAV, or any other desired format.

The selected songs are played by the first device 13 as shown in block38. The selected songs may be played in the order selected, in randomorder, or in any other desired order. The order can preferably bechanged at any time.

The songs may be played via one or more speakers that are part of thefirst device 13, by one or more speakers that are in communication withthe first device 13 (such as via a wired or wireless connection), byheadphones, by earphones, or by any other desired means.

The volume, tone, and balance of the songs is preferably adjustable viathe first device 13, such as via the display 22 and/or keypad 23thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the second way of operation of the first deviceis illustrated. According to this second way of operation, a list ofplaylists is displayed as shown in block 41, one of the playlists isselected as shown in block 42, at least one attribute is sent to theplaylist server as shown in block 43, and a playlist is received asshown in block 44, all in the same fashion as in the first way ofoperation discussed above.

According to the second way of operation, the song is played on a deviceother than the first device 13. Thus, a second device 14 typically mustbe selected as shown in block 45. A particular second device may beselected from a list of second devices that is displayed on the firstdevice 13. For example, a listener's desktop computer may be selectedfrom a list having the desktop computer, a television, and a stereolisted thereon.

Preferably the list of second devices is dynamic and is automaticallyupdated, such as via the use of a device discovery, process that isdescribed in detail below. Alternatively, the list of second devices maybe pre-configured by the listener and then manually updated, as desired.

At least one song is selected from the playlist as shown in block 46 andas discussed above.

Information representative of the selected song(s) is sent from thefirst device 13 to the second device 14. This information tells thesecond device 14 what song(s) are to be played. However, the seconddevice does not typically have the selected songs stored therein. Insome instances the selected songs may be cached within a memory of thesecond device 14, as discussed above.

The second device 14 sends information representative of the selectedsong(s) to a content server. Optionally, the second device also sends atleast one attribute of the playlist from which the song(s) were selectedon the first device 13 to the playlist server, as well.

The selected song(s) are received from the content server by the seconddevice as shown in block 44 and are ready for playing. Optionally, thesame playlist that is presently available for display on the firstdevice is received from the playlist server, such that it is alsoavailable for display on the second device.

Generally, songs may be selected and played from the second device 14,as well as from the first device 13, such that it is beneficial todisplay the playlist on the second device 14. Even if songs cannot beselected and displayed from the second device 14, it may still bebeneficial to view the playlist thereon.

The selected song is played on the second device 14 as shown in block 50and discussed above. Parameters of the song such as volume, tone, andbalance are optionally controllable from the first device 13.

Optionally, playlist and/or songs are cached in the first device 13and/or the second device 14. Caching is particularly beneficial when thesame songs and/or playlist are used repeatedly.

Although playlists and/or songs may be cached so as to mitigate the needfor repeated downloading thereof from the playlist/content server 10,the memory requirements of the first device 13 and second device 14 aresubstantially reduced. This is true because the first device 13 and thesecond device 14 of the present invention do not store a substantialquantity of playlists or songs thereon.

That is, the first device 13 and the second device 14 of the presentinvention do not have to store all of the songs that a listener wishesto hear thereon. Rather, any such storage is generally incidental.Typically, a large number of the songs played by the first device 13 andthe second device 14 are stored on the content server 10 and arecommunicated via the Internet 11 to the first device 13 and/or thesecond device 14 as needed.

Of course, such remote storage reduces the need for memory for the firstdevice 13 and the second device 14, thereby desirably reducing the costand size thereof and also enhancing the reliability thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 5, according to one aspect of the presentinvention all of the devices within an area, such as the area withinwhich the devices can receive each other's wireless broadcast signals,are aware of one another and communicate with one another. When a newdevice enters the area, the existing devices become aware of the newdevice and the new device becomes aware of the existing devices via adiscovery process.

According to this discovery process, all devices may periodicallybroadcast an identification code and a password. The identification codeuniquely identifies the device. The password authorizes the device tocommunicate with other devices within the area.

When a new device enters the area, the new device and the existingdevices communicate with, one another. This may be done either directlyor via a server, as discussed in detail below. The new device recognizesany of the other devices that have an acceptable password and displays alist of the other devices on its list of available devices, so that theother devices may be selected as second devices for playing of songs, asdiscussed above.

Similarly, the devices already in the area recognize the new device ifthe new device has an acceptable password, and the devices already inthe area display the new device in their list of available devices sothat the new device may be selected as a second device for the playingof songs, if desired.

Alternatively, when a user enters a place with a new device, he cansearch for other devices by broadcasting on the network (whether wiredor wireless), as shown in block 51. The other devices will return alocation ID for the location or realm of which they are a part, as shownin block 52. The user can then select a desired one of the locations andenter the correct password for that location, as shown in block 53. Oncethis is done, then all of the devices in that realm will show upregardless of whether they are local or remote, as shown in block 54.The user is then free to do whatever the user wants to do with the otherdevices, if the security is set up to allow other users to control theother devices. For example, the user may play a song through anotherdevice or download a song therefrom.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the discovery process is described in furtherdetail. Preferably, a device can obtain a list of other devices in oneof two different ways. According to a first way of obtaining lists ofother devices, the lists are obtained through a server whether thedevice obtaining the lists is a local device or a remote device.According to a second way of obtaining lists of other devices, the listsare obtained directly from the other devices themselves, as long as thedevice obtaining the lists and the other devices are all local devices.

A local device is a device that is on the same local area network (LAN)as the other devices. That is, devices are considered to be local withrespect to one another if they are all on the same local area network. Aremote device is a device that is not on the same local area network asthe other devices.

According to the first way of obtaining device lists, server 81,preferably on a wide area network such as the Internet, facilitatescommunication of a list of devices to a new device. The server may bethe same server as the playlist server/content server 10 of FIGS. 1, 6,and 7 or may be a different server.

For example, if PDA 82 is a new device entering the area of a wirelesslocal area network, a user may enter a user name or ID, a locationidentifier, and a password into the PDA 82. The user name or IDidentifies the user to the rest of the local area network. An example ofa user name or ID would be Joes PDA.

The location entry identifies the network that the user wants to becomepart of. For example, a network at Joe's house may be conveniently namedJoes House.

The password is typically necessary to be part of the local areanetwork. That is, the local area network will typically not allow a newdevice to log thereon without the correct password. The use of passwordsmay optionally be omitted, if desired.

Once the appropriate ID, location, and password have been entered, thenthe PDA 82 communicates with the server 81, such as via a wirelessaccess point. The server 81 maintains a list of the devices on the localarea network and communicates this list to the new device, i.e., the PDA82.

The PDA 82 may then be used to select and control another device on thelocal area network, such as stereo 83. That is, the user may select thestereo 83 from the list of devices on the local are network and then maycommand the stereo to play a song or playlist of songs on the playlistof the PDA 82. The PDA 82 may also be used to control parameters of thesong being played on the stereo 83, such as volume, tone, and balance.The PDA 82 may also be used to control the order in which the songs areplayed.

The PDA 82 may directly control the stereo 83, as indicated by thearrows therebetween. Alternatively, the PDA 82 may control the stereothrough the server 81, particularly in those instance whereincommunication directly between the PDA 82 and the stereo 83 are notadequately facilitated, such as when the distance therebetween is toogreat or when an obstruction (such as a wall or a larger piece offurniture) blocks the signal between the PCA 82 and the stereo 83.

When a new device can become part of the local area network, asdescribed above, then the new device is a local device. However, in someinstances a remote device may similarly be used to control a device onthe network, such as the stereo 83, even though the remote device is notpart of the local area network.

For example, the cell phone 84 is a remote device because it is not partof the local area network that the stereo 83 is on. However, the cellphone 84, may still communicate with the server 81, so as to obtain thelist of devices on the local area network therefrom. It is stillnecessary for the cell phone user to enter an ID, location, and passwordinto the cell phone, as was done with the PDA.

The remote device, i.e., cell phone 84, may similarly be used to controlthe stereo. However, the control signal will be communicated from thecell phone 84 to the server 81 through the server, since directcommunication between the cell phone 84 and the stereo is typically notfacilitated. Thus, the server 81 functions as a gateway for the remotedevice to communicate with devices on the local area network.

Preferably, the list of devices communicated from the server 81 to a newdevice, e.g., PDA, contains an indication as to whether devices on thelist are local or remote with respect to the local area network. Thus,the new device knows whether commands to other devices must go throughthe server 81 or not.

According to the second way of obtaining a list of devices, instead ofobtaining the list from the server 81, each device continuouslybroadcasts its presence, so as to facilitate auto-detection thereof.Thus, each device individually compiles its own list of other devices bymonitoring the broadcasts therefrom. Preferably, a user must enter anID, location, and password, as discussed above.

According to either method for obtaining a list of devices, a particularphysical location, such as a coffee shop for example, may contain aplurality of logical locations or realms. Thus, a user may select aparticular logical location to log onto. For example, one group ofpeople at the coffee shop may be logged onto a location or local areanetwork named Joes Coffee Group, while another group of people is loggedonto a different location or local area network named Bills CoffeeGroup. A person newly entering the physical location, i.e., the coffeeshop, may choose which group to join.

However, the new person must have the correct password for the logicallocation that he wishes to join. The password may be obtained byrequesting it form someone in the logical location. Logging on to thelogical location causes a list of devices (or users) to be communicatedto the new user's device and also causes the new user's device to beadded to the device lists of the other users, as discussed above.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first devicecomprises a remote control for a set-top box and the second devicecomprises a rendering device that receives signals from the set-top,such as a television or stereo. This embodiment of the present inventionis illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 and is described in detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 6, one embodiment of the present inventioncomprises a set-top box 63 that provides a signal to a rendering device,such as a television or stereo 61. The set-top box is in communicationwith the Internet 11. A playlist server/content server 10 is also incommunication with the Internet, as described above.

Optionally, the set-top box functions as a cable television box inaddition to functioning as a portion of the digital entertainmentnetwork of the present invention.

A remote control 62 for the set-top box 63 preferably fits into a cradledefined by at least a portion of the set-top box. The remote control 62communicates wirelessly with the set-top box to control operation of therendering device 61.

The remote control 62 is in wireless communication with the Internet 11,such as via a wireless access point or wireless router 64.

The remote control 62 defines a first device, as described in detailabove. The set-top box, in combination with the rendering device 61,defines a second device as also described in detail above.

Thus, playlists can be requested by the remote control 62 and downloadedfrom the playlist server 10 via the Internet 11 thereto. Similarly,songs may be downloaded to the remote control 62. The songs may beplayed on the remote control 62 or may be played on the rendering device61 in its role as a second device as described above.

For example, a song may be previewed on the remote control 62, evenwhile another song is being played on the rendering device 61. A songmay be listened to solely on the remote control 62 as the remote controlis carried about at home. Such listening may be via one or more speakersbuilt into the remote control 62 or may be via earphones.

Optionally, the set-top box comprises a display, so that playlists andsongs can be selected therefrom. Playlists and songs are downloaded tothe set-top box in its role as a second device, as discussed above.

The remote control 62 may be used while cradled by the set-top box 63,as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, the remote control 62 may be usedwhile removed from the set-top box 63, as shown in FIG. 7.

Chat is preferably provided by the first 13 and/or second 14 devices ofthe present invention. Chat may be used for collaboration amonglisteners, such as for the compilation and/or exchange of playlists.Such chat may be implemented as voice chat or as text chat in a fashionsimilar to Internet Relay Chat (IRC), Microsoft Instant Messenger (IM),or AOL Instant Messenger (IM).

According to one aspect of the present invention, playlistrecommendations may be provided to a listener. These playlistrecommendations may be provided by the playlist server and may be basedupon the listening habits of the listener or upon previous playlistrequests. The listening habits of the listener may be determined fromplaylist and/or song downloads from the playlist server and/or thecontent server. That is, a playlist recommendation of a playlist of thetop ten contemporary songs may be made by the playlist server to alistener who continually listens to several of the songs on thisplaylist. Similarly, a playlist recommendation of a playlist of the topten country songs may be made to a listener who has requested playlistscontaining country songs.

The playlist server may also provide playlist recommendations based uponthe playlists of others. That is, the playlist server may be configuredto recognize when two or more people appear to have similar listeninghabits and may then recommend the playlists of one of these people toothers of the same group.

The wireless communications discussed herein may be effected via anetwork, such as a network conforming to the Bluetooth (a trademark ofBluetooth SIG, Inc.) standard and/or conforming to the WiFi (a trademarkof the WiFi Alliance) standard.

Communications between the first and second devices may be either via anetwork or via dedicated non-network communications devices such asthose utilizing any desired form of wireless data transfer, includingthose using infrared (IR) and radio frequency (RF).

Although the content described herein is music, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that other types of content, including both audio andnon-audio content, are likewise subject to use by the present invention.For example, the content may comprise talks, speeches, comedy sketches,stories or books that are read aloud, pictures, video, software, ordata.

It is understood that the exemplary digital entertainment networkdescribed herein and shown in the drawings represents only presentlypreferred embodiments of the invention. Indeed, various modificationsand additions may be made to such embodiments without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. Thus, various modifications andadditions may be obvious to those skilled in the art and may beimplemented to adapt the present invention for use in a variety ofdifferent applications.

1. A server device, comprising: a network transceiver for facilitatingcommunication with a first device and a second device; and a processorcoupled to the network transceiver and configured to: receive a requestfrom the first device; in response to the request, communicate, to thefirst device, a device identifier that identifies the second device;receive a message from the first device that identifies the seconddevice; receive a media item identifier that identifies a media item forrendering on the second device; and direct the second device to renderthe media item.
 2. The server device of claim 1, wherein the processoris further configured to: receive a request for a playlist from thefirst device; and provide the playlist to the first device.
 3. Theserver device of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configuredto: obtain the playlist from another server device.
 4. The server deviceof claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: provide alist of playlists to the first device; receive, from the first device,an attribute that identifies a first playlist; and provide the firstplaylist to the first device.
 5. The server device of claim 4, whereinthe processor is further configured to: obtain the list of playlistsfrom another server device.
 6. The server device of claim 1, wherein tocommunicate, to the first device, the device identifier that identifiesthe second device, the processor is further configured to communicate,to the first device, a list of device identifiers, the list of deviceidentifiers including the device identifier that identifies the seconddevice.
 7. The server device of claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: receive a request for a playlist from the firstdevice, the request including a criterion; based on the criterion,identify a particular playlist of a plurality of playlists; and providethe particular playlist of the plurality of playlists to the firstdevice.
 8. The server device of claim 7, wherein the criterion comprisesone of a type of music, an artist, an instrument, a record company, aregion, a country, a state, a city, or an ethnicity.
 9. The serverdevice of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:receive a request for a playlist from the first device, the requestincluding a criterion; based on the criterion, generate a generatedplaylist in accordance with the criterion; and provide the generatedplaylist to the first device.
 10. The server device of claim 1, whereinto communicate, to the first device, the device identifier thatidentifies the second device, the processor is further configured tocommunicate, to the first device, via a network, the device identifierthat identifies the second device.
 11. The server device of claim 10,wherein the network is a local area network.
 12. The server device ofclaim 10, wherein the network is a wide area network.
 13. The serverdevice of claim 1, wherein the media item identifier that identifies amedia item for rendering on the second device is received from the firstdevice.
 14. The server device of claim 1, wherein the media itemidentifier that identifies a media item for rendering on the seconddevice is received from the second device.
 15. A server device,comprising: a network transceiver for facilitating communication with afirst device and a second device; and a processor coupled to the networktransceiver and configured to: receive a request from the first device;in response to the request, communicate, to the first device, a deviceidentifier that identifies the second device; receive a message from thefirst device that identifies the second device; provide a list ofplaylists to the first device; receive, from the first device, anattribute that identifies a first playlist; and direct the second deviceto render the first playlist.
 16. The server device of claim 15, whereinthe processor is further configured to: obtain the list of playlistsfrom another server device.
 17. A server device, comprising: a networktransceiver for facilitating communication with a first device and asecond device; and a processor coupled to the network transceiver andconfigured to: receive a request from the first device; communicate, tothe first device, a device identifier that identifies the second device;receive a message from the first device that identifies the seconddevice and a media item identifier that identifies a media item forrendering on the second device; and direct the second device to renderthe media item.
 18. A method comprising: receiving, via a server device,a request from a first device; in response to the request,communicating, to the first device, a device identifier that identifiesa second device; receiving a message from the first device thatidentifies the second device; receiving a media item identifier thatidentifies a media item for rendering on the second device; anddirecting the second device to render the media item.
 19. A methodcomprising: receiving, by a server comprising a processor, a requestfrom a first device; communicating, by the server to the first device, adevice identifier that identifies a second device; receiving, by theserver, a message from the first device that identifies the seconddevice and a media item identifier that identifies a media item forrendering on the second device; and directing, by the server, the seconddevice to render the media item.